JP7368617B2 - Battery modules, battery module systems, and battery packs including battery modules - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery module system, and a battery pack including the battery module.

This application claims priority benefit based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0090887 dated July 22, 2020, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. included as part.

Recently, the price of energy sources has increased due to the depletion of fossil fuels, the concern about environmental pollution has increased, and the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Therefore, research continues into various power production technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power, and there continues to be great interest in power storage devices that can use the energy produced in this way more efficiently. ing.

In particular, as technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and as a result, research is being conducted on batteries that can meet various needs.

In terms of battery shape, there is typically high demand for prismatic secondary batteries and pouch-shaped secondary batteries that are thin and can be used in products such as mobile phones, and in terms of materials, they have high energy density and discharge voltage. There is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries, such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries, which have advantages such as output stability.

Such secondary batteries have an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separation membrane placed between them built inside the battery case, and the positive electrode and negative electrode tabs are welded to two electrode tabs. It consists of a sealed structure that is exposed to the outside of the battery case. Such electrode tabs are electrically connected through contact with external devices. Further, the secondary battery supplies power to an external device through the electrode tab, or is supplied with power from an external device.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional battery module. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional battery module includes a battery cell stack inside a case. Meanwhile, gas may be generated inside the battery cell during charging and discharging. Further, due to the generated gas, a swelling phenomenon in which the battery cells expand and contract may repeatedly occur. In particular, as the battery cells are repeatedly charged and discharged, the thickness of the battery cells increases and the case of the battery module is deformed.

Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can maintain constant swelling force during charging and discharging of battery cells and prevent deformation of the case.

In order to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, the present invention aims to provide a battery module, a battery module system, and a battery pack including the battery module that can maintain a constant surface pressure of battery cells. do.

The present invention provides a battery module that can maintain constant surface pressure of battery cells. In one embodiment, the battery module according to the present invention includes a module case, a battery cell stack housed in the module case and stacked with n battery cells (n is an integer of 2 or more), and a battery cell stack. a tube having a structure that is laminated on one surface of the battery cell stack, supports between the battery cell stack and one surface of the module case, and allows fluid to flow into the tube; and a fluid supply device connected between the tube and the fluid supply device to control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube to keep the surface pressure of the battery cells housed in the module case constant. Contains a fluid control valve to maintain the fluid.

In one embodiment, the battery module according to the present invention further includes a pressure sensor connected between the tube and the fluid control valve to measure the pressure of the tube into which fluid is introduced.

In one embodiment, the tube may be a soft or elastic material. The fluid supply device may be a fluid pump or a pressure head device. Furthermore, the fluid introduced into the tube may be in a liquid or gel state.

In another embodiment, the battery module further includes a pressure plate laminated on one side of the battery cell stack. In a specific example, one or more stopper blocks are included between the pressure plate and one surface of the module case to limit movement of the pressure plate in the stacking direction.

In one embodiment, compression pads are disposed between stacked battery cells of the battery cell stack. At this time, 3 to 10 battery cells are arranged between the compression pads.

In one embodiment, the battery cell stack further includes a busbar assembly that electrically connects m battery cells (m is an integer of 2 or more) to each other.

In addition, the present invention provides a battery module system that can maintain constant surface pressure of battery cells. In one embodiment, the battery module system includes a module case part in which a battery cell stack is housed, and a module case part that is stacked on one surface of the battery cell stack and supports between the battery cell stack and one surface of the module case part. a tube-shaped surface pressure maintenance section into which fluid flows; a fluid supply section that is fluidly connected to the surface pressure maintenance section and supplies fluid to the surface pressure maintenance section; a pressure sensing part connected between the supply part and measuring the pressure of the surface pressure maintaining part; and a pressure sensing part connected between the pressure sensing part and the fluid supply part and responsive to the pressure measured from the pressure sensing part. It includes a fluid control section that controls the amount of fluid flowing into the surface pressure maintaining section.

In one embodiment, the battery module system according to the present invention includes a data processing unit that receives pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured from the pressure sensing unit and determines whether or not to operate the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit. Including further.

In one embodiment, the data processing unit determines the operation of the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit when pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured from the pressure sensing unit is lower than a reference value range. In a specific example, the fluid supply section and the fluid control section may supply fluid into the surface pressure maintenance section until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section reaches a reference value range.

In another embodiment, the data processing section determines operations of the fluid supply section and the fluid control section when pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance section measured from the pressure sensing section is higher than a reference value range. In a specific example, the fluid supply section and the fluid control section may discharge the fluid inside the surface pressure maintenance section until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section reaches a reference value range.

In another embodiment, the data processing section may stop the operation of the fluid supply section and the fluid control section when pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance section measured from the pressure sensing section is included in a reference value range.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a battery pack including the battery module described above.

The battery module, battery module system, and battery pack including the battery module according to the present invention have the advantage that even if swelling occurs in the battery cells housed in the battery module, the surface pressure of the battery cells can be kept constant. be.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional battery module. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery module system according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery module system according to the present invention.

The present invention will be explained in detail below. Before that, the terms or words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor intends to use his invention in the best manner possible. Based on the principle that the concept of the term can be suitably defined for explanation, the meaning and concept of the term should be interpreted in accordance with the technical idea of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery module system, and a battery pack including the battery module. First, the battery module according to the present invention includes a module case, a battery cell stack housed in the module case and stacked with n battery cells (n is an integer of 2 or more), and one side of the battery cell stack. a tube having a structure that is stacked on the battery cell stack, supports between the battery cell stack and one side of the module case, and allows fluid to flow into the tube; and is fluidly connected to the tube to supply fluid to the tube. a fluid supply device, and a fluid connected between the tube and the fluid supply device to control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube to maintain a constant surface pressure of the battery cells housed in the module case. Includes control valve.

Generally, gas may be generated inside a battery cell during charging and discharging. As a result, a swelling phenomenon in which the battery cell expands and contracts may occur repeatedly. In particular, there is a problem in that the thickness of the battery cell increases due to repeated charging and discharging of the battery cell, and the case of the battery module is deformed. Therefore, the present invention provides a battery module, a battery module system, and a battery pack including the battery module that can maintain constant surface pressure of battery cells. More specifically, in the battery module according to the present invention, tubes into which fluid flows are stacked on a battery cell stack, and the tubes into which fluid flows are stacked on a battery cell stack, and the tubes are compressed with a constant force and swelled into n battery cells housed in the battery module. Provided is a battery module that can tolerate expansion displacement due to (swelling).

In the present invention, the term "tube" refers to a structure that is laminated on one surface of the battery cell stack and supports between the battery cell stack and one surface of the module case. The tube may have a flat shape so as to support between the battery cell stack and one surface. Then, the front surface of the battery cell can be covered. In particular, fluid can flow into the tube, and by controlling the amount of fluid flow, the surface pressure of the battery cells accommodated in the module case can be kept constant. In other words, the battery module of the present invention has a structure in which the tube always presses a constant load on the battery cells housed in the module case, so that even if swelling occurs in the battery cells, the surface pressure on the battery cells remains constant. can be maintained.

Through various and repeated experiments and observations, the inventors of the present invention have discovered that by stacking tubes into which fluid flows into the battery cell stack, even if swelling occurs in the battery cells, surface pressure can be applied to the battery cells. was confirmed to be maintained constant.

In one embodiment, the module case of the present invention is a housing for accommodating a battery cell stack, and includes an accommodation space in which the battery cell stack is housed. On the other hand, when the battery cell stack is housed in a case, the battery cell stack may be housed so that the bottom surface of the case and the stacked surface of the battery cell stack are horizontal. In another embodiment, the module case may have an open structure on one side. Further, a cover may be welded to one side of the module case. Here, "one side of the module case" means one wall of the module case, and means a wall of the module case located in the stacking direction of the battery stack.

In one embodiment, the battery cell stack has a structure in which n battery cells (n is an integer of 2 or more) are stacked. The number of stacked battery cells (n) may vary depending on the number of battery cells that require electrical connection. Alternatively, it may vary depending on the capacity of the battery module. For example, the number (n) of battery cell stacks in the battery cell stack is in the range of 2 to 100, 2 to 50, 2 to 10, or 3 to 7.

On the other hand, the battery cell is not particularly limited as long as it is a rechargeable secondary battery. In a specific embodiment, each battery cell constituting the battery cell laminate is a pouch-type unit cell, and an electrode assembly having a positive electrode/separator/negative electrode structure is attached to the laminate sheet exterior material. It is connected to an electrode lead formed on the outside of the device. The electrode leads may be drawn out to the outside of the sheet and may extend in the same direction or in opposite directions.

In addition, the battery cell stack further includes a busbar assembly that electrically connects the n battery cells to each other. In one embodiment, the busbar assembly includes a busbar or insulating bar by which each battery cell is electrically connected. Meanwhile, in the busbar assembly, the battery cell stacks may be electrically connected in series or in parallel depending on the positions of the busbar and the insulating bar. The busbar assembly may be a conventional busbar assembly.

In one embodiment, the tube means a structure that is laminated on one side of the battery cell stack and supports between the battery cell stack and the module case, as described above.

The tube may be made of a soft or elastic material, and the tube may be a structure made of a rubber material. The tube is formed of an elastic rubber material, thereby increasing the effect of dispersing pressure between battery cells. Furthermore, the tube may be a flat tube so that it can be laminated on one side of the battery cell.

Further, the fluid may be in a liquid or gel state flowing into the tube. For example, the fluid is cooling water or water. By filling the tube with cooling water or water, a cooling effect on the battery cells can be achieved. In addition, when the fluid is a hydrogel, it is advantageous for dispersing stress concentrated in a specific region and maintaining thermal equilibrium, and an increase in the weight of the battery module can be minimized. Conversely, it is also possible to use gas as the fluid, but if gas is used as the fluid, there may be a problem in that the heated gas increases the overall temperature of the battery cells.

In one embodiment, a battery module according to the present invention includes a fluid supply device and a fluid control valve. Specifically, the fluid supply device is a device that supplies fluid into the tube, and may be a typical fluid pump. Alternatively, it may be a device that utilizes a pressure head.

In another embodiment, the pressure head fluid supply device includes a fluid supply tube fluidly connected to the tube. At this time, the fluid supply pipe has a structure that is located at a higher position than the fluid supply area of the tube and is perpendicular to the ground. The height of the fluid inside the fluid supply tube can then be adjusted to determine the amount of fluid flowing into the tube, thereby controlling the pressure in the tube. In such cases, the fluid supply device can apply fluid pressure to the tube without requiring a separate power source.

Further, the fluid control valve may be a conventional valve. Further, the fluid supply device is connected between the fluid supply device and the tube, and can control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube to maintain a constant surface pressure of the battery cells housed in the module case. . For example, the valve can be operated by receiving a signal from a pressure sensor, which will be described later, to open or close the flow path. Specifically, the fluid control valve can open the flow path to supply or discharge fluid when the pressure of the tube exceeds or is less than a reference value range, and when the pressure of the tube exceeds or is less than a reference value range, the fluid control valve opens the flow path to supply or discharge fluid. , the flow path can be closed.

Additionally, the battery module according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is connected between the tube and the fluid control valve or to the tube, and measures the changing pressure of the tube into which the fluid is introduced. The fluid supply device and the fluid control valve are set to operate or not based on the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

In one embodiment, a fluid supply device is used to supply fluid to tubes stacked on one side of the battery cell stack. Specifically, by supplying fluid to the tube, the pressure in the tube can be increased and an initial pressurization can be provided as desired. On the other hand, if swelling of the battery cells inside the battery module occurs, the pressure applied to the tube will increase. In such a case, the fluid supply device and the fluid control valve can be operated according to the pressure value of the tube, the fluid control valve is opened until the pressure inside the tube reaches a reference value, and the fluid supply device is activated. Fluid inside the tube can be drained to the outside of the tube.

That is, the battery module according to the present invention can control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube that supports the battery cell stack. Thereby, the battery cells accommodated in the battery module can maintain a constant surface pressure.

In one embodiment, the battery module according to the present invention further includes a pressure plate laminated on one surface of the battery cell stack. The pressure plate is laminated on one side of the battery cell stack, and can restrict movement of the upper part of the battery cell stack. The pressure plate may be plate-shaped or may be made of an electrically insulating material.

In another embodiment, the battery module according to the present invention includes one or more stopper blocks between the pressure plate and one surface of the module case. The stopper block restricts the movement of the pressure plate in the stacking direction, and is attached to the inside of one side of the module case or to the top of the pressure plate.

In a specific example, if the swelling of the battery cells exceeds the designed load, the pressure plate will move in the stacking direction of the battery cells. On the other hand, there is a predetermined space between one surface of the module case and the pressure plate, but if the swelling displacement of the battery cell acts beyond the space, the stopper block will cause the pressure plate to close. Movement in the stacking direction can be restricted. The stopper block may be made of any material as long as it restricts the movement of the pressure plate. For example, it may be made of insulating plastic.

In one embodiment, a battery module according to the invention includes a compression pad. In a specific example, between 3 and 10 battery cells are placed between the compression pads. Specifically, the compression pad body has a structure in which 5 to 10 or 5 to 8 battery cells are arranged at regular intervals. Although it is advantageous to maintain pressure and thermal balance when the compression pad bodies are spaced narrower, there is a problem in that the capacity of the battery module is reduced. The arrangement spacing of the compression pad bodies is determined in consideration of maintaining pressure and thermal balance within the battery module and economical efficiency. The compression pad may be made of a polyurethane-based material, and can absorb changes in the battery cell due to external impact when the battery cell undergoes thickness deformation due to swelling.

In addition, the present invention provides a battery module system that can keep the surface pressure of battery cells constant. In one embodiment, the battery module system includes a module case part in which a battery cell stack is housed, and a module case part that is stacked on one surface of the battery cell stack and supports between the battery cell stack and one surface of the module case part. a tube-shaped surface pressure maintaining section into which fluid flows; a fluid supply section fluidly connected to the surface pressure maintaining section and supplying fluid to the surface pressure maintaining section; a pressure sensing part connected between the supply part and measuring the pressure of the surface pressure maintaining part; and a pressure sensing part connected between the pressure sensing part and the fluid supply part and measuring the pressure measured by the pressure sensing part. A fluid control section that controls the amount of fluid flowing into the surface pressure maintaining section.

In addition, the battery module system according to the present invention includes a data processing unit that receives pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured by the pressure sensing unit and determines whether the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit operate. Including further.

Specifically, the data processing section receives measurement data of the surface pressure maintaining section measured by the pressure sensing section. Then, the received pressure data and reference data are compared to determine whether the measured data is included in the range of the reference data.

At this time, if the measured data is not included in the range of the reference data, the data processing section transmits a signal so that the fluid supply section and the fluid control section can operate. The fluid supply section is a fluid supply device, and the fluid control section is a fluid control valve.

In one embodiment, when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintaining unit measured by the pressure sensing unit is lower than a reference value range, the data processing unit receives the measurement data measured by the pressure sensing unit, and the data processing unit receives the measurement data from the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit. determines the operation of the

Then, the fluid supply section and the fluid control section are operated to supply fluid to the inside of the surface pressure maintaining section. At this time, the fluid supply section and the fluid control section supply fluid into the surface pressure maintenance section until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section reaches the reference value range. That is, the battery module system according to the present invention supplies fluid to the interior of the surface pressure maintaining section and pressurizes the battery cell stack 410, thereby reducing swelling force accompanying charging and discharging of the battery cells. can be maintained constant. Accordingly, deformation of the case portion can be prevented.

In another embodiment, when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintaining unit measured by the pressure sensing unit is higher than the reference value range, the data processing unit receives the measurement data measured by the pressure sensing unit, and Determines the operation of the control unit.

Then, the fluid supply section and the fluid control section are operated to discharge the fluid inside the surface pressure maintaining section. At this time, the fluid supply section and the fluid control section discharge the fluid in the surface pressure maintenance section until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section reaches the reference value range. That is, the battery module system according to the present invention can maintain constant swelling force during charging and discharging of the battery cells by discharging fluid into the surface pressure maintaining unit.

In another embodiment, when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintaining unit measured by the pressure sensing unit is included in the reference value range, the data processing unit receives the measured pressure of the pressure sensing unit and connects the fluid supply unit to the fluid supply unit. Sends a signal to interrupt operation of the control unit.

In a specific example, the data processing unit receives measurement data from the pressure sensing unit and determines whether the measurement data falls within a reference value range. Then, when the measured data falls within the reference value range, the operation of the fluid supply section and the fluid control section is interrupted.

As a result, the swelling force that accompanies charging and discharging of the battery cells can be kept constant, thereby preventing deformation of the case portion.

The present invention also provides a battery pack including the battery module described above.

In a specific example, a battery pack according to the present invention includes one or more battery modules.

At this time, each of the battery modules includes a tube in which the battery cell stack is housed in a module case and fluid is introduced into one side of the battery cell stack. Additionally, the battery module includes a fluid supply device (not shown) that supplies fluid to the tubes, a fluid control valve that controls the amount of fluid inflow, and a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the tubes.

The tubes may be stacked at the middle end of the battery cell stack, and the tubes included in each battery module may be fluidly connected to the tubes of adjacent battery modules. Meanwhile, the pressure sensor and the fluid control valve are connected to each battery module, and can indirectly determine the swelling level of the battery cells housed inside each battery module.

On the other hand, when a danger such as a fire is detected, the fluid inside the tube can be utilized to supply cooling fluid to block heat propagation or the like.

The battery pack can be used as various types of energy storage devices or power sources. For example, the energy storage device is an energy storage system (ESS) that stores a large amount of electrical energy. Moreover, the above power source can be applied as a power source for a means of transportation, for example, an automobile. The above-mentioned automobiles collectively refer to various types of automobiles that use secondary batteries as an auxiliary power source or a main power source. Specifically, the vehicle includes a hybrid (HEV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), a pure electric vehicle (BEV, EV), and the like.

Mode for carrying out the invention

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in more detail through drawings, examples, etc. The present invention can undergo various changes and take various forms. Accordingly, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the particular disclosed form, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of the spirit and technology of the invention. be.

First Embodiment FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a battery module 100 according to the present invention includes a battery cell stack 110 in which n battery cells 111 (n is an integer of 2 or more) are stacked, and a module case in which the battery cell stack 110 is housed. 120, a tube 130 having a structure that is stacked on one surface of the battery cell stack 110, supports between the battery cell stack 110 and one surface of the module case 120, and allows fluid to flow into the tube 130 and the fluid; A fluid supply device 140 is connected to supply fluid to the tube 130, and a fluid supply device 140 is connected between the tube 130 and the fluid supply device 140 to control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube 130 to control the module case 120. It includes a fluid control valve 150 that can maintain a constant surface pressure of the battery cells 111 housed therein.

In one embodiment, the tube 130 is made of a soft or elastic material. Specifically, the tube 130 may be made of a rubber material. The tube 130 is made of an elastic rubber material, thereby increasing the effect of dispersing pressure between battery cells. Furthermore, the tube 130 may be a flat tube so that it can be stacked on one side of the battery cell 111.

Further, the fluid may be in a liquid or gel state flowing into the tube 130 .

Additionally, the battery cell stack 110 has a structure in which a compression pad 170 is interposed between the stacked battery cells 111. Specifically, the compression pad 170 has a structure in which 3 to 10 battery cells 111 are disposed therebetween. The compression pad 170 may be made of polyurethane-based material. In particular, by including the compression pads 170 between the stacked battery cells 111, changes in the thickness of the battery cells when the battery cells 111 are deformed due to swelling can be absorbed.

In one embodiment, the battery module 100 according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor 160. The pressure sensor 160 is connected between the tube 130 and the fluid control valve 150, and measures the changing pressure of the tube 130 into which the fluid is introduced.

The fluid supply device 140 and the fluid control valve 150 are set to operate or not based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 160. At this time, the fluid supply device 140 may be a fluid pump.

In one embodiment, fluid is supplied to the tubes 130 stacked on one side of the battery cell stack 110 using a fluid supply device 140 . Specifically, by supplying fluid to the tube 130, the pressure in the tube 130 can be increased to provide a desired initial pressurization. On the other hand, if swelling occurs in the battery cells 111 inside the battery module 100, the pressure that the tube 130 receives will increase. In this case, the fluid supply device 140 and the fluid control valve 150 can be operated according to the pressure value of the tube 130, and the fluid control valve 150 is kept open until the pressure inside the tube 130 reaches a reference value. The fluid supply device 140 can discharge the fluid inside the tube 130 to the outside of the tube 130.

That is, the battery module 100 according to the present invention can control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube 130 that supports the battery cell stack 110. Thereby, the battery cells 111 accommodated in the battery module 100 can maintain a constant surface pressure.

Second Embodiment FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a battery module 200 according to the present invention includes a battery cell stack 210 in which n battery cells 211 (n is an integer of 2 or more) are stacked, and a module case in which the battery cell stack 210 is accommodated. 220, a structure that is stacked on one side of the battery cell stack 210, supports between the battery cell stack 210 and one side of the module case 220, and allows fluid to flow into the tube (230); A fluid supply device 240 is connected to supply fluid to the tube 230, and a fluid supply device 240 is connected between the tube 230 and the fluid supply device 240 to control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube 230 and housed in the module case 220. The battery cell 211 includes a fluid control valve 250 that maintains the surface pressure of the battery cell 211 constant.

Additionally, the battery module 200 according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor 260. The pressure sensor 260 is connected between the tube 230 and the fluid control valve 250 and measures the changing pressure of the tube 230 into which the fluid is introduced.

In another embodiment, the pressure supply device 240 is a pressure head device. Specifically, the pressure supply device 240 includes a fluid supply pipe 241 fluidly connected to the tube 230 . The fluid supply pipe 241 is located at a higher position than the fluid supply area of the tube 230 and has a structure perpendicular to the ground. The height of the fluid inside the fluid supply pipe 241 can be adjusted to determine the amount of fluid flowing into the tube 230, thereby controlling the pressure of the tube 230. In such a case, fluid supply device 240 can apply fluid pressure to tube 230 without requiring a separate power source.

Since each configuration has been described above, a detailed description of each configuration will be omitted.

Third Embodiment FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a battery module 300 according to the present invention includes a battery cell stack 310 in which n battery cells 311 (n is an integer of 2 or more) are stacked, and a module case in which the battery cell stack 310 is accommodated. 320, a tube 330 having a structure that is stacked on one surface of the battery cell stack 310, supports between the battery cell stack 310 and one surface of the module case 320, and allows fluid to flow into the inside; A fluid supply device 340 is fluidly connected to supply fluid to the tube 330, and is connected between the tube 330 and the fluid supply device 340 to control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube 330 to supply the module case. It includes a fluid control valve 350 that maintains the surface pressure of the battery cell 311 housed in the battery cell 320 constant.

Additionally, the battery module 300 according to the present invention includes a pressure sensor 360. The pressure sensor 360 is connected between the tube 330 and the fluid control valve 350, and measures the changing pressure of the tube 330 into which the fluid is introduced.

Furthermore, the battery module 300 according to the present invention further includes a pressure plate 380 stacked on the upper end of the battery cell stack 310. One or more stopper blocks 390 are included between the pressure plate 380 and one surface of the module case 320. Although FIG. 4 shows the stopper block 390 as including one stopper block, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The stopper block 390 restricts the movement of the pressure plate 380 in the stacking direction, and is attached to the inner side of one side of the module case 320 or the top of the pressure plate 380.

Specifically, when the swelling of the battery cells 311 inside the battery module 300 acts on a load greater than the designed load, the thickness of each battery cell 311 increases, and the pressure plate 380 pushes against the battery cell stack 310. It will move in the stacking direction. On the other hand, although there is a predetermined space between one surface of the module case 320 and the pressure plate 380, if the swelling displacement of the battery cell 311 acts beyond the space, the stopper block 390 prevents the pressure from being applied. Movement of the pressure plate 280 in the stacking direction can be restricted.

Since each configuration has been described above, a detailed description of each configuration will be omitted.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing each configuration of a battery module system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a battery module system 400 according to the present invention includes a module case part 420 in which a battery cell stack 410 is housed, a module case part 420 that is stacked on one side of the battery cell stack 410, and a battery cell stack 410 and a module case. A tubular surface pressure maintaining section 430 that supports between one surface of the section 420 and into which fluid flows, is fluidly connected to the surface pressure maintaining section 430 and supplies fluid to the surface pressure maintaining section 430. A fluid supply section 440, a pressure sensing section 460 connected between the surface pressure maintenance section 430 and the fluid supply section 440 to measure the pressure of the surface pressure maintenance section 430, and a pressure sensing section 460 between the pressure sensing section 460 and the fluid supply section. A fluid control unit 450 is connected to the surface pressure maintaining unit 430 and controls the amount of fluid flowing into the surface pressure maintaining unit 430 according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensing unit 460 .

Additionally, the battery module system 400 according to the present invention includes a data processing unit that receives pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit 430 measured by the pressure sensing unit 460 and determines whether or not the fluid supply unit 440 and the fluid control unit 450 are operable. 470 further included.

Specifically, the data processing section 470 receives measurement data of the surface pressure maintaining section 430 measured by the pressure sensing section 460. Then, the received pressure data is compared with the reference data, and it is determined whether the measured data is included in the range of the reference data.

At this time, if the measured data is not included in the reference data range, the data processing unit 470 transmits a signal to enable the fluid supply unit 440 and the fluid control unit 450 to operate. The fluid supply section 440 is a fluid supply device, and the fluid control section 450 is a fluid control valve.

In one embodiment, when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintaining unit 430 measured by the pressure sensing unit 460 is lower than a reference value range, the data processing unit 470 receives the measurement data measured by the pressure sensing unit 460, and the data processing unit 470 receives the measurement data measured by the pressure sensing unit 460, and 440 and the operation of the fluid control unit 450 are determined.

Then, the fluid supply section 440 and the fluid control section 450 are operated to supply fluid into the surface pressure maintaining section 430 . At this time, the fluid supply section 440 and the fluid control section 450 supply fluid into the surface pressure maintenance section 430 until the pressure of the surface pressure maintenance section 430 reaches the reference value range. That is, the battery module system according to the present invention supplies fluid to the inside of the surface pressure maintaining section 430 and pressurizes the battery cell stack 410, thereby reducing swelling force accompanying charging and discharging of the battery cells 411. ) can be kept constant, thereby preventing deformation of the case portion 420.

Fifth Embodiment In another embodiment, when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintaining unit 430 measured by the pressure sensing unit 460 is higher than the reference value range, the data processing unit 470 converts the measurement data measured by the pressure sensing unit 460 into and determines the operation of the fluid supply section 440 and fluid control section 450.

Then, the fluid supply section 440 and the fluid control section 450 are operated to discharge the fluid inside the surface pressure maintenance section 430. At this time, the fluid supply section 440 and the fluid control section 450 discharge the fluid in the surface pressure maintenance section 430 until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section 430 reaches the reference value range. That is, the battery module system according to the present invention can discharge fluid into the surface pressure maintaining unit 430 to maintain a constant swelling force during charging and discharging of the battery cell 411.

Sixth Embodiment In another embodiment, when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintaining unit 430 measured by the pressure sensing unit 460 is included in the reference value range, the data processing unit 470 adjusts the pressure measured by the pressure sensing unit 460. and sends a signal to interrupt the operation of the fluid supply unit 440 and fluid control unit 450.

In a specific example, the data processing unit 470 receives measurement data from the pressure sensing unit 460 and determines whether the measurement data falls within a reference value range. Then, when the measured data falls within the reference value range, the operations of the fluid supply section 440 and the fluid control section 450 are interrupted.

Accordingly, the swelling force caused by charging and discharging the battery cell 411 can be kept constant, thereby preventing the case part 420 from deforming.

Seventh Embodiment FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the battery pack according to the present invention includes a battery module. In a specific example, a battery pack 1000 according to the present invention includes one or more battery modules 100. In FIG. 6, the battery module 100 is illustrated as including three battery modules 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. Additionally, although not shown in FIG. 6, the battery module 100 may be housed in a battery pack case.

At this time, each of the battery modules 100 includes a tube 130 in which the battery cell stack 110 is housed in a module case 120 and fluid is introduced into one side of the battery cell stack 110 . In addition, the battery module 100 includes a fluid supply device (not shown) that supplies fluid to the tube 130, a fluid control valve that controls the amount of fluid inflow, and a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the tube 130.

The tube 130 may be stacked at the middle end of the battery cell stack 110. The tubes 130 included in each battery module 100 may be fluidly connected to the tubes 130 of adjacent battery modules 100.

Meanwhile, the pressure sensor and the fluid control valve are connected to each battery module 100 and can indirectly grasp the swelling level of the battery cells 111 housed inside each battery module 100.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but a person skilled in the art or a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field will understand the scope of the claims. It will be understood that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to what is described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

1, 100, 200, 300: Battery module 10, 110, 210, 310: Battery cell laminate 11, 111, 211, 311: Battery cell 112, 212, 312: Bus bar assembly 12, 120, 220, 320: Module Case 130, 230, 330: Tube 140, 240, 340: Fluid supply device 150, 250, 350: Fluid control valve 160, 260, 360: Pressure sensor 170, 270, 370: Compression pad 380: Pressure plate 390: Stopper Block 400: Battery module system 410: Battery cell stack 411: Battery cell 420: Case section 430: Surface pressure maintenance section 440: Fluid supply section 450: Fluid control section 460: Pressure sensing section 470: Data processing section 480: Storage section 1000: Battery pack

Claims (13)

module case,
A battery cell stack housed in the module case and stacked with n battery cells (n is an integer of 2 or more);
a tube having a structure that is stacked on one surface of the battery cell stack, supports between the battery cell stack and one surface of the module case, and allows fluid to flow into the tube;
a fluid supply device fluidly coupled to the tube to supply fluid to the tube;
A fluid connected between the tube and the fluid supply device to control the amount of fluid flowing into the tube to maintain a constant surface pressure of the battery cells housed in the module case. a control valve ;
a pressure plate laminated on one side of the battery cell laminate;
including;
The battery module has a structure that includes one or more stopper blocks between the pressure plate and one surface of the module case to limit movement of the pressure plate in the stacking direction. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor connected between the tube and the fluid control valve to measure the pressure of the tube into which fluid is introduced. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube is made of a soft or elastic material. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid supply device is a fluid pump or a device using a pressure head. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid flowing into the tube is in a liquid or gel state. The battery cell stack has a structure in which compression pads are arranged between the stacked battery cells, and 3 to 10 battery cells are arranged between the compression pads. The battery module according to any one of the items. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the battery cell stack further includes a busbar assembly that electrically connects the m battery cells (m is an integer of 2 or more) to each other. . a module case part in which a battery cell stack is housed;
a tubular surface pressure maintaining section that is stacked on one surface of the battery cell stack, supports between the battery cell stack and one surface of the module case part, and into which fluid flows;
a fluid supply section that is fluidly connected to the surface pressure maintenance section and supplies fluid to the surface pressure maintenance section;
a pressure sensing unit that is connected between the surface pressure maintenance unit and the fluid supply unit and measures the pressure of the surface pressure maintenance unit;
a fluid control unit that is connected between the pressure sensing unit and the fluid supply unit and controls the amount of fluid flowing into the surface pressure maintaining unit according to the pressure measured from the pressure sensing unit ;
a pressure plate laminated on one side of the battery cell laminate;
including
A battery module having a structure that includes one or more stopper blocks between the pressure plate and one surface of the module case part to limit movement of the pressure plate in the stacking direction. system. The battery module system further includes a data processing unit that receives pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured from the pressure sensing unit and determines whether or not the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit operate. 8. The battery module system according to 8 . The data processing unit determines the operation of the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured from the pressure sensing unit is lower than a reference value range,
The battery module system according to claim 9 , wherein fluid is supplied into the surface pressure maintenance section until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section reaches a reference value range. The data processing unit determines the operation of the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured from the pressure sensing unit is higher than a reference value range,
The battery module system according to claim 9 , wherein fluid is discharged into the surface pressure maintenance section until the pressure in the surface pressure maintenance section reaches a reference value range. According to claim 9 , the data processing unit stops the operation of the fluid supply unit and the fluid control unit when the pressure data of the surface pressure maintenance unit measured from the pressure sensing unit is included in a reference value range. The battery module system described. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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